U.S. patent application number 15/864243 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-12 for multifunction surgical instrument for use in laparoscopic surgery.
The applicant listed for this patent is ERIC WILLIAM CONLEY, RICARDO ALEXANDER GOMEZ, SANDY LAWRENCE HECK, ERIC ALLEN LOPEZ. Invention is credited to ERIC WILLIAM CONLEY, RICARDO ALEXANDER GOMEZ, SANDY LAWRENCE HECK, ERIC ALLEN LOPEZ.
Application Number | 20180193049 15/864243 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62782503 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180193049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HECK; SANDY LAWRENCE ; et
al. |
July 12, 2018 |
MULTIFUNCTION SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR USE IN LAPAROSCOPIC
SURGERY
Abstract
The present invention is directed toward devices and methods for
use in minimally invasive needlescopic procedures whereby an
improved bowel grasper incorporates a means for measuring the
pressure applied to a body part is translated to a visual
representation. In addition, in an embodiment a rubberized bowel
grasper device having a chevron style surface which is used to
facilitate grabbing and manipulating body parts is provided. In
another embodiment of the present invention and system a device and
method for measuring distances inside the abdomen is provided.
Further embodiments include bowel graspers with a combination of
the above features and functions.
Inventors: |
HECK; SANDY LAWRENCE; (LOS
ANGELES, CA) ; CONLEY; ERIC WILLIAM; (South Berwick,
ME) ; GOMEZ; RICARDO ALEXANDER; (LIGHTHOUSE POINT,
FL) ; LOPEZ; ERIC ALLEN; (NORTH LAUDERDALE,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HECK; SANDY LAWRENCE
CONLEY; ERIC WILLIAM
GOMEZ; RICARDO ALEXANDER
LOPEZ; ERIC ALLEN |
LOS ANGELES
South Berwick
LIGHTHOUSE POINT
NORTH LAUDERDALE |
CA
ME
FL
FL |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62782503 |
Appl. No.: |
15/864243 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62444433 |
Jan 10, 2017 |
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62444434 |
Jan 10, 2017 |
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62444435 |
Jan 10, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/2926 20130101;
A61B 2017/2825 20130101; A61B 17/29 20130101; A61B 2090/062
20160201; A61B 2017/2939 20130101; A61B 5/1076 20130101; A61B
2017/00818 20130101; A61B 2090/065 20160201; A61B 5/4255 20130101;
A61B 90/92 20160201; A61B 2017/00858 20130101; A61B 2090/0811
20160201; A61B 2090/061 20160201; A61B 5/6847 20130101; A61B
2017/00353 20130101; A61B 2017/00862 20130101; A61B 2017/00438
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/29 20060101
A61B017/29; A61B 5/107 20060101 A61B005/107; A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; A61B 90/92 20060101 A61B090/92 |
Claims
1. A multifunction surgical instrument comprising a laparoscopic
grasper jaw and at least one of: a laparoscopic length measuring
tool; a tissue grasper having rubberized jaws; or a gauge which
provides visual indication of the pressure being applied by the
tissue grasper upon tissue clamped between the rubberized jaws.
2. The multifunction surgical instrument claim 1, wherein: the
gauge includes an element which, when the jaws are in a maximally
closed but spaced and locked position with tissue grasped
therebetween, the gauge is activated to visually indicate whether
pressure applied to the tissue is within a predetermined acceptable
range, allowing for adjustment of the pressure.
3. The multifunction surgical instrument claim 1, further
comprising: an inner grasper movement controller shaft and an outer
shaft for securing the tissue grasper in position, wherein the
pressure readings provided by the gauge are translated to linear
movements of the inner grasper movement controller shaft relative
to the outer shaft.
4. The multifunction surgical instrument claim 3, wherein: pressure
produced by an outer movable finger holder of the surgical
instrument, which engages and controls a housing of the surgical
instrument in a manner wherein a spring within the housing seated
about the outer shaft and against a spring retainer stop, is
measured by the gauge.
5. The multifunction surgical instrument claim 4, wherein: the
spring retainer stop causes a shaft of the visual indicator to
rotate to a position indicative of a particular pressure being
applied, the housing moving proximally and causing the shaft to
turn via engagement to the proximal end of the spring.
6. The multifunction surgical instrument claim 5, wherein: the
rotating shaft mounts a gear which moves along a rack assembly of
the housing which causes the rotation of the shaft which in turn
causes a rotational movement of the visual indicator to apprise of
a particular predetermined pressure associated with the rotational
position of the shaft.
7. The multifunction surgical instrument claim 1, further
comprising: a bowel measurement tool having a measuring string
which is wound around a shaft of the tool and incorporates a
proximal end loop which is engaged to pull the string proximally
outward.
8. The multifunction surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein: the
measurement tool is operable such that the measurement tool remains
stationary while the string is being pulled to a desired location
and the string spins within a helical groove or recess around the
shaft as the string is pulled to a desired length position.
9. The multifunction surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein: the
string of the bowel measurement tool includes a color-coded
measuring scheme.
10. The multifunction surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: the
rubberized jaws of the tissue grasper have a rubberized material
forming a grasping surface of the jaws.
11. The multifunction surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: the
rubberized jaws have a chevron surface pattern.
12. The multifunction surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: the
surgical instrument is configured for use in intestinal and
gallbladder laparoscopic procedures.
13. The multifunction surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein:
frictional openings are provided along a length of the grasper jaws
for frictional engaging the rubberized material.
14. A multifunction surgical instrument for use in laparoscopic
surgery, comprising: at least one or more of a laparoscopic
measuring tool, a tissue grasper having rubberized jaws, and a
gauge which provides a visual indication of pressure being applied
by the tissue grasper to tissue clamped between the rubberized
jaws.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/444,433, filled on Jan. 10, 2017 entitled Bowel
Grasper Jaws, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/444,434 filed on
Jan. 10, 2017 entitled Laparoscopic Bowel Measurement Tool, and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/444,435, filled on Jan. 10,
2017 entitled Surgical Instrument Force Gauge, wherein are each
incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present field of invention relates to methods and
devices used in Laparoscopic surgery such as for bowel grasping,
bowel measuring, and visually quantifying forces applied to organs
or tissue parts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Minimally invasive surgery has impacted the medical industry
profoundly, but has also been met with numerous challenges. Since
the late 1980's Laparoscopic surgery has become very popular and
continued to expand. The popularity of laparoscopic surgery is
mainly due to the advantages it offers to its patients. Copious
methods and techniques have developed that have reduced the
scaring, operating times, recovery times, loss of blood, and
shorter hospital stays of patients.
[0004] Prior to starting a surgical procedure, a small incision is
created allowing a trocar device to be inserted. Additional
percutaneous incisions are made, between 5-15 mm, for inserting
additional trocars. Trocars typically range in diameter between
5-12 mm and provide a passageway for the introduction of surgical
instruments into the abdomen. An insufflator is then used to
inflate the cavity thus creating the space necessary for the
surgeon to perform the medical procedure and provide a viewing
field.
[0005] One of the most common instruments used in laparoscopic
surgery is the bowel grasper. This is a grasper instrument with
jaws that are designed for effective handling of the bowel and
other delicate tissues in the abdomen. Although this instrument is
universally used in laparoscopic surgeries around the world, its
design and features have remained unchanged since laparoscopy was
introduced in the 1980's.
[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,373 entitled "Laparoscopic
Instrument" by George S. Ferzli, dated Sep. 15, 1992, [Col 1, Lines
20-23] Ferzli discloses the benefits of laparoscopic surgery, and
specifically makes reference to the reduction in pain, fast
recovery times, and almost invisible scars. The drawback with
measuring organs inside a body cavity are that the surgeon cannot
directly see what he is doing but through a monitor. The monitor
size limits the field of view and magnifies the image, thereby
making it difficult to ascertain distances and dimensions of body
organs and tissues.
[0007] Moreover, during the surgical procedure, there are times
that organs or tissues need to be measured. This is particularly
the case in surgeries, such as gastric bypass procedures, where
surgical technicians require that the surgeon perform different
actions on the bowel and fixed distances. If distances cannot be
measured accurately, many surgeries cannot be performed correctly.
Unfortunately, there aren't many options to accurately measure
these body organs and tissues. A rotatable wheel design has been
proposed by George Ferzli in his Apr. 18, 2000, U.S. Pat. No.
6,050,960. The patent discloses how a wheel is placed in contact
with an internal body part to be measured and rotation is imparted
to the wheel, either by self-induced rotational components housed
in the instrument which cause the wheel to be propelled along the
surface with which it is in contact, or by friction-induced
rotation caused by advancing a freely mounted wheel while in
engaged contact with the organ surface. The wheel is rolled along a
measurement path, and rotation thereof sensed and converted into
data output representative of a distance traversed by the wheel.
Rotational data is converted into quantitative measurements.
However, rolling a wheel across a non-uniform surface is time
consuming, requires the surgeon to move slowly and carefully inside
a restricted area, and requires the surgeon to learn and execute a
new technique, requiring additional training. Since the invention
is a standalone device it requires that the user purchase an
additional instrument and occupy an additional trocar.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need in the field for a laparoscopic
measuring tool that can accurately measure distances inside a body
cavity. There is also a need in the field for a laparoscopic
measuring tool that is multifunctional, thus eliminating the need
for an extra instrument or extra trocar. It would be desirable to
provide laparoscopic instruments that are part of standard
operating tools, incorporating a measuring device already built
into it, thus making it readably available.
[0009] Nearly all laparoscopic surgeries are performed with
metallic instruments. Metallic instruments are beneficial in that
they are strong and can be reused, but they also have a downside.
In a bowel grasper, the metallic inner surface of the jaws are
constructed of hard materials, often shaped into sharp-edged teeth,
and have been known to cause accidental injury or perforation to
the surrounding tissues or organs during surgery. These injuries
are not always noticed until after the surgery has been completed
and many times lead to complications. Additionally, metallic
surfaces tend to have a higher slippage rate on wet tissues,
requiring the surgeon to use a tighter grip that could be damaging
to tissues.
[0010] Thus, there is a need in the field for laparoscopic devices
that can dramatically improve functionality by providing better
gripping and softer surfaces. The gentler manipulation would allow
better handling and would minimize the possibility of accidental
bowel injuries during surgery, which often leads to infections and
complications.
[0011] In Laparoscopic surgery, forces are often applied to body
parts and organs, between the jaws of an instrument. In traditional
open surgery, surgeons could feel the force of their instruments
tactilely, but in laparoscopic surgery surgeons must look through a
monitor to see what they are doing and often must judge how much
pressure they are applying to that organ or body part by the
feedback they receive visually. In modern day surgery, a problem
prevails in that surgeons cannot visually quantify how much
pressure they are applying to a body part. As the time involved in
surgery expands and the surgeon gets tired, the amount of pressure
that is being applied may not be consistent. This creates the
problem of over gripping or under gripping body parts. Damaging
body parts and tissues can happen when this takes place. Another
time that this problem occurs is when a surgeon uses assistants to
hold laparoscopic devices in place. It is currently not possible to
determine if the assistant is applying to much or too little
pressure to these body parts, tissues or organs, often the
assistants are medical assistance or residents in training. They
lack the experience to determine if the force applied is too much
or too little. The solution to this would be to have a visual means
of quantifying the force the assistant is applying to the body part
or tissue. Therefore, there is a need in the field for a force
gauge device that can translate force units into visual
feedback.
[0012] Certain small measuring instruments do exist in the art for
quantifying applied forces. Typically springs or coiled metals are
used to measure these forces. When pressure is applied to them,
depending on the configuration they either compress or expand and
the difference in movement is used to determine how much pressure
is being exerted.
[0013] In view of the above, however, there remains a need for a
new type of surgical instrument and, in particular, a multifunction
bowel grasper that combines one or more of the following three
features to improve the functionality and safety of the
laparoscopic bowel grasper. These features include a feature that
allows the user to accurately measure distances of organs inside
the body, a feature that improves the gripping surface of the
instrument's jaws, and a feature that provides visual feedback
regarding the pressure being applied to tissues between the
instrument's jaws.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The various aspects of the present invention well be more
fully understood when the following portions of the specification
are read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument force
gauge device.
[0016] FIG. 2A is a side perspective view of a surgical instrument
force gauge device in its open position.
[0017] FIG. 2B is a side perspective view of a surgical instrument
force gauge Device in its ready to measure force position.
[0018] FIG. 2C is a side perspective view of a surgical instrument
force gauge device in its measuring position.
[0019] FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of a surgical instrument
force gauge device illustrating the inspection window.
[0020] FIG. 3B is a sectional view of a surgical instrument force
gauge device illustrating the visual indicator device.
[0021] FIG. 4A is side sectional view of the handle section of a
surgical instrument force gauge device.
[0022] FIG. 4B is a top sectional view of a surgical instrument
force gauge device.
[0023] FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of the instrument head
assembly in the unlocked position.
[0024] FIG. 5B is a side perspective view of the instrument head
assembly in the locked position.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative instrument
head assembly having rubberized graspers.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bowel measurement
tool.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bowel measurement tool
in its pre-deployed position, and
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bowel measurement tool
in its fully deployed position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] It is an object of the preset invention to provide a
surgical instrument that overcomes the deficiencies of the known
art and the problems that remain unsolved by converting a tactical
means of measuring pressure to a body part in the abdomen to visual
measurable indicator device.
[0030] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
surgical instrument that includes a means of holding body parts
through the use of a rubberized instrument head grasper and a means
of measuring length inside the abdomen of a patient.
[0031] The present invention is directed toward devices and methods
for use in minimally invasive needlescopic procedures whereby an
improved bowel grasper incorporates a means for measuring the
pressure applied to a body part is translated to a visual
representation. In addition, in an embodiment a rubberized bowel
grasper device having a chevron style surface which is used to
facilitate grabbing and manipulating body parts is provided. In
another embodiment of the present invention and system a device and
method for measuring distances inside the abdomen is provided.
Further embodiments include bowel graspers with a combination of
the above features and functions.
[0032] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that while the
methods and devices described in this application are not limited
to but may be used in connection with laparoscopic surgery, may
also be employed in needlescopic surgery in which one or more
surgical instruments are inserted into the abdomen of a patient
with or without the use of a trocar. Several goals of this
invention are the reduction of large incisions associated with
traditional surgery. Quicker recovery periods for the patient, and
a lower likely hood of infections in the affected area.
[0033] It will also be appreciated by a person skilled in the art
that these specialized tools significantly improve the
determination of quantitative measurements. Those being applied
pressure, and distances measured inside the abdominal cavity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in
nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or
the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used
herein, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described
herein as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.
All of the implementations described below are exemplary
implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to
make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended
to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the
claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any
expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical
field, background, brief summary or the following detailed
description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices
and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described
in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of
the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence,
specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to
the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as
limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
[0035] With reference to FIG. 1, a surgical instrument (110)
according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a
Bowel Measurement Tool (100) having a Dial Plate (102), with an
Inspection Window (130), used for visually inspecting the amount of
squeezing pressure being applied to a surface by the Bowel Grasper
(126). A color-coded system is used including, not limited to but,
the colors red and green for visually indicating proper pressure
amounts. This visual system for applying safe gripping pressure may
be adjusted based on the area of concern. An Elongated Shaft (120),
is connected to the Instrument Head Assembly (124) at the Shaft
Attachment Point (128).
[0036] The handle area consists of a Stationary Finger Rest (114),
having an Inner Stationary Finger Holder (117) both used to insert
the operators fingers not shown, for controlling the pressure
applied at the Bowel Grasper (126). A Movable Handle Neck (118),
having an Outer Movable Finger Holder (116) are in the same movable
body. The Outer Movable Finger Holder (116) pivots about the
Pivoting Device (108), used to manually apply pressure by hand
through the shaft to the Bowel Grasper (126). The Inner Shaft
Locking Knob (104) is attached to the Bowel Grasper (126) near the
Shaft Attachment point (128), the main purpose of which is to
manually attach and release control of the Bowel Grasper (126). The
Outer Shaft Locking Knob (106) is the means used to attach the
Instrument Head Assembly (124) to the Elongated Shaft (120) at the
Shaft Attachment Point (128). The Inner Shaft Locking Knob (104)
and the Outer Shaft Locking Knob (106) are designed to rotate in
opposite directions when being secured. This provides an additional
safety feature for holding the Bowel Grasper (126) secured.
[0037] With respect to FIGS. 2A-2C, the three positions of the
Surgical Instrument Force Gauge (100) are illustrated. In position
2A the open finger holders correspond to an open Bowel Grasper
(126). This is typically the pre-engaged position. In the
pre-engaged position, the user manipulates the device to the
desired location in the abdomen. In FIG. 2B the Instrument Force
Gauge (100) is in the ready position for measuring force. A more
detailed explanation will be found under explanation of FIG. 4A-4B.
In FIG. 2C the Surgical Instrument Force gauge (100) is seen in the
full measuring position.
[0038] With respect to FIG. 3A a top view of the Surgical
Instrument Force Gauge (100) is illustrated, showing how the
Inspection Window (130) is easily visible to the user. When no
pressure is being applied, no color coding is displayed in the
window. When pressure begins to be applied the Visual Indicator
Device (138) moves displaying color codes letting the user visually
see if they are applying a safe amount of pressure. It should be
noted that the application of pressure is not limited to but
includes a color coding scheme. It may also incorporate but is not
limited to numeral values of pressure allowing the user to
determine what is an appropriate value. The configuration of the
Inner Shaft Locking Knob (104) and Outer Shaft Locking Knob (106)
make them easily accessible and controlled by the user when
attaching the Bowel Grasper (126).
[0039] With respect with FIG. 3B a perspective view of the Surgical
Instrument Force gauge (100) is illustrated without the Dial Plate
(102). A Rack Assembly (136) is used to guide a Dial Gear (134) as
it spins and causes the Visual Indicator Device (138) to rotate
clockwise and causes the color-coded section VID (139) to also
rotate. Elongated Shaft (120) passes through the Outer Shaft
Locking Knob (106) and the Outer Guide Shaft Controller (112) to
its proximal end where it is attached to the Inner Shaft Locking
Knob (104). Shaft Locking Knob (106) is designed in a gear shape
allowing easier grasping of the fingers. Pivoting Device (108)
permits the transfer of finger movement to linear movement of the
Elongated Shaft (102) which in turn controls the opening and
closing of the Bowel Grasper (126).
[0040] With respect to FIG. 4A a sectional view of the Surgical
Instrument Force Gauge (100) is illustrated, depicting how the
Elongated Inner Shaft (121) passes through the device and connects
to the Inner Shaft Locking Knob (104). The Inner Shaft Locking Knob
(104) holds in place the Elongated Inner Shaft (121) by placement
of a Locking Screw (150). When Bowel Grasper (126) is in the
engaged position (FIG. 5B Locked Position), the Inner Shaft (121)
is held stationary throughout. Continued movement of the Movable
Handle Neck (118) causes the Housing Body (148) to apply pressure
to Spring Assembly (140) which is held in place by the Spring
Retainer Stop (142) causing a rotational action of the VID Shaft
(144) along the Rack Assembly (136). This action which results in
the Dial Gear (134) to rotate clockwise.
[0041] With respect to FIG. 4B a top view of the Surgical
Instrument Force Gauge (100) without the Dial Plate (102) or Visual
Indicator Device (138) is depicted, clearly showing how the Dial
Gear (134) rotates about the Rack Assembly (136).
[0042] With respect to FIG. 5A the Bowel Grasper (126) is
illustrated in the open position prior to engaging a surface. When
the Bowel Grasper (126) is in the open unlocked position the distal
end of Elongated Inner Shaft (121) is exposed. When the Bowel
Grasper (100) reaches the ready position as illustrated in FIG. 5B
the Elongated Inner Shaft (121) is no longer visible and provides a
physical resistance to the Spring Retainer Stop (142) of FIG. 4A
causing the Spring Retainer Stop (142) to begin compressing the
Spring Device (140). As the Spring Device is compressed (140) the
VID Shaft (144) spins the Dial Gear (134) along the Rack Assembly
(136) causing the Visual Indicator Device (138) to rotate.
[0043] With respect to FIG. 6 a specialized Instrument Head
Assembly (124) having a Rubberized Grasper (146) may be used in
place of the original Bowel Grasper (126) of FIG. 1. The rubberized
inner surface of the Bowel Grasper (126) may also incorporate a
specialized gripping surface. Several Rubberized Surface Securing
Holes (152) provide a means of locking in place the rubberized
surface to the metalized grasper surface.
[0044] With respect to FIGS. 7 and 8, a Bowel Measurement Tool
(200) is illustrated having a Rotating Shaft (206), or sub-segment
of shaft, that spins independently around the Bowel Head Shaft
(202) when the Measuring String (210) is extended. Extension of the
Measuring String (210) is accomplished by pulling the Measuring
String Loop (208) by a Secondary Grabbing Device (216). This
feature permits the Bowel Grasper (214) to remain stationary when
engaged while allowing the Measuring String Loop (208) to extend to
the desired measuring length.
[0045] With respect to FIG. 9 Bowel (212) is measured by the Bowl
Measuring String (210). The Bowl Measuring String (210) may include
but is not limited to a color-coded scheme corresponding to
predetermined distance increments. These predetermined visual
indicators allow the surgeon to quickly determine the length of
area being measured. The Secondary Grabbing Device (216) is
inserted inside the String Loop (208) allowing the surgeon to place
at a predetermined distance. In summary the surgical instrument
(110) for use in laparoscopic surgery comprises a laparoscopic
length measuring tool, a tissue grasper having rubberized jaws and
a gauge which provides visual indication of the pressure being
applied by the tissue grasper upon tissue clamped between the
rubberized jaws.
[0046] The present invention therefor provides a surgical
instrument (110) that includes a gauge which comprises an element
which, when the jaws are in a maximally closed but gapped and
locked position with tissue grasped therebetween, the gauge (138)
is activated to visually indicate whether the pressure applied is
acceptable or excessive, allowing for adjustment of the pressure.
The surgical instrument (110) may further include an inner grasper
movement controller shaft and an outer shaft for securing the
grasper in position wherein the pressure readings provided by the
gauge are translated to linear movements of the inner shaft (121)
relative to the outer shaft (120). In an embodiment, the pressure
produced by an outer movable finger holder (116) of the surgical
instrument (110), which engages and controls a housing of the
instrument in a manner wherein a spring (140) within the housing
(148) seated about the outer shaft (120) and against a spring
retainer stop (142), is measured by the gauge (138). In an
embodiment, the surgical instrument (110) has a rotating shaft
(144) that mounts a gear (134) which moves along a rack assembly
(136) of the housing (148) which causes the rotation of the shaft
(144) which in turn causes a rotational movement of the visual
indicator (138) to apprise of a particular predetermined pressure
associated with the rotational position of the shaft (144).
[0047] In an embodiment, the surgical instrument (110) may also
include a bowel measurement tool which incorporates a measuring
string (210) which is wound around a shaft of the tool and
incorporates a proximal end loop (208) which is engaged to pull the
string (210) proximally outward. The surgical instrument (110),
wherein the measurement tool (200) remains stationary while the
bowel measuring string (210) is being pulled to a desired location
and the string (210) spins within a helical groove or recess (220)
around the measuring tool shaft (206) as the string is pulled to a
desired length. In an embodiment, the string (210) of the bowel
measuring tool (200) includes a color-coded measuring scheme.
[0048] In an embodiment, the grasper is constructed of rubberized
material for superior grasping. In an embodiment, the tissue
grasper is constructed of rubberized material having a chevron
surface pattern.
[0049] In an embodiment, the surgical instrument (110) is suited
for use in intestinal and gallbladder laparoscopic procedures.
[0050] While the invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents
may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the
essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended
that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments
disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *